Cabbage & Kale

It is said, that with a little planning it's possible to pick fresh Cabbage & Kale nearly every day of the year. Although, would anyone really want to?? Cabbages are divided into spring, summer and winter types. They are named accordingly to when they are ready to harvest, Spring Cabbage is sown in July/August and harvested from late February through the spring. Summer Cabbage is sown in the early spring and harvested in the summer. Winter cabbages are sown in mid spring for harvesting from November over the winter. Spring Greens are actually undeveloped spring cabbages and although are traditionally sown in summer, can be sown all year round. Cabbage is part of the Brassica family of vegetables. Although some root veg are classified as Brassicas, the term is usually reserved for those veg we grow as ‘greens’, such as cabbage, sprouts and broccoli.

Soil & Growing Position

All brassicas prefer reasonably sunny spot and firm, rich ground so dig in some organic matter such as Farmyard Manure or compost, during the autumn/winter prior, to allow the soil to settle and consolidate as brassicas dislike loose soil and freshly manured soil. Mulching around the growing plants will help to retain moisture. Remember to plant any veg of the brassica family in a different patch of soil each year to stop the build-up of diseases such as clubroot (see Soil Preparation and Crop Rotation). If you have very acidic soil, add in some lime during the winter as this will also help to control clubroot. You can test your soil’s acidity by using a Soil Testing Kit. Brassicas are quite nitrogen hungry so they thrive in ground where peas and beans have previously grown (see Crop Rotation). Apply a general fertiliser to the soil a couple of weeks prior to sowing or planting.

Sowing

Sow thinly 13mm (0.5in) deep in a seed bed in rows 15cm (6in) apart. When large enough to handle, thin the seedlings to 7.5cm (3in) apart to prevent them becoming spindly and weak.
For Spring cabbage, sow in July/August and transplant in September/October. Summer cabbage is sown from late February/early March (under cloches or growing tunnels to give frost protection) until early May and transplanted in May/June. Winter cabbages are sown in April/May and transplanted in late June/July.

Growing on & Young Plants
Transplant the young plants to their growing position when plants have five or six leaves. Water well the day before moving, lift carefully and plant firmly, watering in the plants well after transplanting. Plant compact varieties 30cm (12”) apart whilst varieties of large head cabbages need to be up to 45cm (18”) apart. Spring cabbages need only be 10cm (4”) apart in rows 30cm (12”) apart. Thin out in early March to 30cm (12”) apart and use the thinnings as spring greens.

Crop Care
Hoe regularly to keep on top of the weeds until the plants are big enough to suppress the weeds themselves. Feed with a liquid feed as the heads begin to mature and water well during dry spells. Mulching around the growing plants will help to retain moisture if it is particularly dry. Use Cabbage Collars around the plants to stop cabbage root fly. Signs of cabbage root fly damage are reddish foliage and wilting plants. Keep an eye out for pests such as caterpillars and aphids. Spraying at the first sign of attack is recommended. Birds can be a problem, so use netting. Covering the crop under micromesh or in growing tunnels is an easy and organic way to protect your young crop from the risk of birds, caterpillars and aphids.
Earth-up the stems of spring cabbage during the autumn and firm in any plants that become loose from wind or frost during the winter.

Harvesting

Cut as required for immediate use. Harvest cabbages by cutting through the stem just above ground level with a sharp knife. In the case of spring and summer cabbages, cut a 13mm (0.5in) deep cross in the stump and you'll be rewarded with a second crop of much smaller cabbages which will appear from the cut surfaces.


Kale is also a brassica and very hardy, often succeeding where cabbages fail. Unlike other brassicas, it is usually untroubled by any pest and diseases. An unfussy crop, it will tolerate most soils as long as it is free-draining. There are four different types of Kale, the most popular being the Curly varieties.

Soil & Growing Position

As kale is not planted out until June/July, it is usual that it is grown in a patch recently vacated by another crop such as potatoes or peas. Nothing further is need to be done to the soil, merely treading down if it has become loose or 'spongy'. If your soil is acidic, work in some lime. Rake in some Growmore a week or so prior to planting.
Dwarf varieties are ideal for container growing.

Sowing from Seed

Sow very thinly at a half inch depth, in rows 6" apart in April/May. Germination takes around 7 - 12 days.

Growing On & Young Plants

Thin the seedlings to 3" apart, to stop them becoming weak and spindly. Transplant to the final growing position once the plants have become well-established and are around 4-6" high. Water the plants thoroughly before planting in rows spaced 18" apart, and water in well.

Crop Care

Water during dry spells and weed regularly. Firm in any large plants to prevent them being loosened by the wind, by treading around the base. In autumn, protect the plants from frost by earthing up around the stems and stake any tall plants if the site is exposed. The plants may look a bit miserable over the winter but a good feed with a liquid feed in March to liven them up.

Harvesting

The trickiest part of growing kale is not the actual growing, it's the harvesting. Use a sharp knife to cut the young leaves from around the crown, from November onwards. Side shooys will appear during the spring for harvesting. Cut when the leaves are still young, no more than 5" long. Mature leaves taste bitter and should be disposed of as well as any yellowing leaves. Stop picking once the plant starts to flower.



Extending the season: Dwarf varieties can be harvested 14 weeks after sowing and allow you to cram more crop into your patch. Sow in situ in early summer in rows 18cm apart. Harvest after they reach 15cm. Dwarf varieties also make great cut-and-come-again crops. Sow in situ and harvest when the plant is about 5cm high.

Growing without a veg plot: Dwarf varieties are perfect - try Showbor and Dwarf Green Curled.